DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
You manage an Azure SQL Database that experiences periodic performance degradation. You need to identify the top queries by CPU consumption over the last hour. Which dynamic management view should you query?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
sys.dm_exec_query_stats
(sys.dm_exec_query_stats) is correct because this DMV returns aggregated performance statistics for cached query plans, including total CPU time. It can be filtered to look at queries over the last hour. Option A (sys.dm_exec_sessions) shows current session-level information, not query-level CPU. Option B (sys.dm_exec_query_plan) returns the actual execution plan, not performance statistics. Option D (sys.dm_exec_requests) shows currently executing requests, not historical CPU consumption.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
sys.dm_exec_sessions
Why it's wrong here
Shows session-level info, not query CPU.
- ✗
sys.dm_exec_query_plan
Why it's wrong here
Shows query plan XML, not CPU stats.
- ✓
sys.dm_exec_query_stats
Why this is correct
Provides aggregated CPU statistics for cached query plans.
- ✗
sys.dm_exec_requests
Why it's wrong here
Shows currently executing requests, not historical.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
Key term
Azure SQL Performance Tuning
Azure SQL Performance Tuning is the process of optimizing the speed and efficiency of queries and database operations in Microsoft Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance to reduce latency and improve throughput.
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